Moving o/s?? Have you done it and where?

[Traveller]

If you can get a British passport then you will be a citizen and would not need a visa. If your parents were born there then this should be pretty simple. My two oldest sons got British passports with only a quick application based on the fact that their parents (ie me and my husband) were born in Scotland. You just need to flash your Oz passport as you leave Australia, and your UK ones as you arrive there. However your son might find it harder to get a passport, you will need to look into it on the UK immigration website.

[Melly01]

Thank you so much Traveller! I think I read something about a British Passport by double descendant, or something, for DS.. I will have to look into it. On a high note, DS' father has said we can move there for a couple of years, he has no problems with it (which was a big surprise!).

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

For anyone coming to the UK, I'm here now - jobs are not that easy to come by. The rail system has recently laid off a lot of workers and is probably not recruiting again for a while. Teaching jobs - probably OK, but do look into where you want to work and with what age group. Early Childhood is probably Nursery/Reception classes, you'll probably be best off with a childcare centre (or Nursery, as they're more often called here). I live very close to Surrey and there are those jobs going if you know where to look.

I have only moved cross country, and cross England at that (so not really a big move) but do know people who have moved countries and how they have done it (and plan to do so again) - but any UK questions do ask. (Yes, it does rain all the time. Yes, you will need jumpers for our summers. No, we will not assume you know people from Neighbours due to your accent.)

[LimeSlice]

(Yes, it does rain all the time. Yes, you will need jumpers for our summers. No, we will not assume you know people from Neighbours due to your accent.)

[YoYo]

I have moved overseas....twice...

First time to Singapore

Second time to Jersey, Channel Islands (pretty much the UK, but they think they're a little more special than that)

I have dual citizenship for the UK as both my parents are born in England, but DH and the kids needed visas. The actually came as dependants on ME! LOL!

I have found the move to Jersey much easier than to Singapore, it is less 'expatty!' I don't feel like the odd one out here IYKWIM?

[MummaSue]

Hey mate!

I'm also from Scotland and moved to Australia over 5 years ago. It was the best thing we ever did!

Trav has given you some great advice, nothing to add really. It's a great thing to do. I'd seriously think about the UK, you're on the doorstep to some amazing places around Europe - weekends and holidays away would be soooooo easy! Also, you're close to America, it's only really an 8 hour flight from the UK.

America can be hard to get into unless you have work lined up - maybe your DH could see if any companies would sponsor him to work in the States?

Good luck!

[~Jayne~]

Hey There,

We are Aussie Expats living in Qingdao, China. We have have just about finished our 7 months here & we love it!!! Yes, initially the language barrier was a big problem, but I take Chinese classes 3 times per week now & I'm really finding that I am understanding a lot more now. Also, the expat community here is absolutely fabulous, so they are a great help to me too.

My kids go to an American International School & they are having the best time there & the level of education is absolutely astounding. My DD (6) just told me a few weeks back that she wants to just go to school in China forever & only visit Australia for vacation (gotta love the American terms! lol).

Europe sounds awfully enticing I must admit! I always had a 'feeling' that we would be living in an apartment for an extended amount of time, but I always pictured it to be in Belgium, Paris or Manhattan or somewhere that sounds very fancy schmancy! Not China. lol. But I do love it! It's sure hard leaving my family behind, but they are slowly starting to make their way across to visit! We have our first 'round' of visitors very early May, so we are very excited!

Good luck! It's such an amazing opportunity and the cultural experience your kids will experience are just once in a lifetime.

xx